Homeowners Could Get Help Paying For Sidewalk Repairs In Mill Valley

MILL VALLEY, CA — Mill Valley homeowners could get up to $1,000 from the city to help repair cracked or lifted sidewalks under a new cost-sharing program approved by the City Council at the late August meeting.

The pilot program will split eligible repair costs 50/50, with the city's contribution capped at $1,000 per property. It will cover sidewalk panel replacements where offsets exceed 1.5 inches, as well as certain tree work when roots create trip hazards.

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The city will continue its existing sidewalk shaving program for smaller hazards.

The program comes as officials focus on reducing injuries and costly claims stemming from damaged sidewalks and falling trees or branches.

City Manager Todd Cusimano said data from the city's regional insurance pool showed $16 million in claims involving fallen trees and branches in 2025 and another $6 million involving sidewalk defects. Those were the pool's two largest categories of losses, he said.

"From a staff perspective, we are looking at this, saying let's look at policy," Cusimano said, describing the cost-sharing program as "a tool to help the residents."

Under the program, Public Works divided Mill Valley into 16 zones and planned to survey one or two each year to identify sidewalks needing repairs.

Property owners in the surveyed areas will receive notices when repairs are required. Those seeking city assistance will have 30 days to submit a contractor estimate and 60 days to complete the work. Homeowners who receive funding will have to wait three years before applying again.

Councilmember Urban Carmel said many homeowners may not realize they are responsible under state law for maintaining the sidewalks bordering their properties.

"People are going to be surprised to find out that they are responsible for their sidewalk, because I have had this discussion with people and people look at me like, 'You are kidding me,'" Carmel said.

Carmel called the program fantastic and encouraged the city to give homeowners straightforward instructions about finding contractors and obtaining necessary permits.

Councilmember Stephen Burke supported starting with a pilot and potentially expanding it if demand warranted additional funding.

"Let's try this out, let's expand the pilot if it works well, and great job," Burke said.